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What is a senior technical program manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Daryl Green
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A senior technical program manager is a person responsible for overseeing the development and execution of complex technical programs. They work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet the required quality standards. Their role involves leading and motivating a team of engineers, project managers, and other technical experts to collaborate effectively. A senior technical program manager requires strong leadership and problem-solving skills to ensure successful outcomes.

What's a day at work look like for a senior technical program manager?

Dr. Daryl GreenDr. Daryl Green LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor of Business, Oklahoma Baptist University

Given the on-going threats of Covid-19, recent graduates can expect varying work days. Some students are working remotely (instead of an office space). Therefore, some recent graduates may still be living with their parents. We are still adjusting to 'The New Normal.' Given this reality, students need to be flexible and adaptable to their employment situation.
ScoreSenior Technical Program ManagerUS Average
Salary
8.6

Avg. Salary $137,188

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.6

Growth rate 16%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
1.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.20%

Asian 18.70%

Black or African American 5.93%

Hispanic or Latino 8.89%

Unknown 5.11%

White 61.16%

Gender

female 25.32%

male 74.68%

Age - 47
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47
Stress level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a senior technical program manager?

Pros

  • High salary and benefits

  • Ability to lead large-scale technical projects

  • Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology

  • Chance to make a significant impact on the company's success

  • Continuous learning and professional growth

Cons

  • High-pressure job with tight deadlines

  • Long hours and occasional weekend work

  • Responsibility for multiple projects simultaneously

  • High level of accountability for project success or failure

  • Need to manage stakeholder expectations and conflicting priorities

Senior technical program manager career paths

Key steps to become a senior technical program manager

  1. Explore senior technical program manager education requirements

    Most common senior technical program manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.7 %

    Master's

    23.9 %

    Associate

    6.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific senior technical program manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Technical Program10.03%
    Program Management8.61%
    Project Management7.87%
    Cloud7.17%
    Software Development6.12%
  3. Complete relevant senior technical program manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New senior technical program managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a senior technical program manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real senior technical program manager resumes.
  4. Gain additional senior technical program manager certifications

    Senior technical program manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific senior technical program manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for senior technical program managers include Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Scrum Master (CSM).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research senior technical program manager duties and responsibilities

    • Lead application development and architecture in a large scale environment that manage company's mortgage financial data.
    • Conduct daily scrum meetings with agile teams to manage scope, schedules, and budgets.
    • Manage deployment of DynMRO SaaS solution to every program which include the overall release and versioning control.
    • Plan, manage, and contribute to full SDLC of transaction processing tools (e-Commerce and POS).
  6. Get senior technical program manager experience

    Generally, it takes 6-8 years to become a senior technical program manager. The most common roles before becoming a senior technical program manager include senior project manager, information technology project manager team lead and program manager.
  7. Prepare your senior technical program manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior technical program manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a senior technical program manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable senior technical program manager resume templates

    Build a professional senior technical program manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your senior technical program manager resume.
    Senior Technical Program Manager Resume
    Senior Technical Program Manager Resume
    Senior Technical Program Manager Resume
    Senior Technical Program Manager Resume
    Senior Technical Program Manager Resume
    Senior Technical Program Manager Resume
    Senior Technical Program Manager Resume
    Senior Technical Program Manager Resume
    Senior Technical Program Manager Resume
  8. Apply for senior technical program manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a senior technical program manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first senior technical program manager job

Zippi

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Average senior technical program manager salary

The average senior technical program manager salary in the United States is $137,188 per year or $66 per hour. Senior technical program manager salaries range between $102,000 and $184,000 per year.

Average senior technical program manager salary
$137,188 Yearly
$65.96 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do senior technical program managers rate their job?

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5 stars

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Senior technical program manager reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

not applicable because I dont work as a technical project manager

Cons

not applicable because I dont work as a technical project manager


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

I am not what do you like the most about working as an Information Technology Project Manage

Cons

Do not know


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Project concept, execution - meeting business and Customer expectations.

Cons

Enjoy all aspects.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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